Heading into Tuesday’s opening round of the Class 4A girls soccer state playoffs, Mullen really had no idea about visiting Mead.

Yes, the Mustangs knew the Mavericks had snappy uniforms. Yes, they knew Mead was in its third year of varsity play and first year in 4A. And, yes, Mullen was aware that Mead had given up only 18 goals all season, the same number it had surrendered in the regular season.

But a few minutes into the match on the natural-grass pitch behind its school, Mullen found out – it was superior in all aspects.

Ultimately, the Mustangs drubbed newer Mead 8-0 in one that really wasn’t that close. Behind three goals by senior Sabrina Van Horn, the Mustangs moved to the second round against Montrose on Friday as well as a 9-4-3 record.

“We really had no idea what the competition was like,” Van Horn said about entering the match.

The Mustangs’ skill and facing 5A competition in the Centennial proved beneficial. Mullen registered more than 30 shots, two dozen on goal, to none for the Mavericks. They practically lived in the Mead end from the opening minute.

“It is very hard to tell on just straight (statistics) who’s doing what,” Mustangs coach Amy Estes said when trying to prepare for the Mavericks. “But playing in the Centennial League, our strength of schedule was so good. Given our quality of opponent, I felt pretty good coming in.”

It got better – Van Horn upped her season total to 12 goals. Devin Kelly, Megan Delmonico, Tara Grieshaber, Hunter Rooney and Reagan Weber also scored as Mullen, which has piled up 23 goals in its past four matches, led 4-0 at half and Estes was able to clear her bench reasonably early in the second half.

Mead, a member of the Tri-Valley, where it was runner-up to Windsor, ended 10-4-2 and had no answers. The Mustangs controlled everything from passing to defense.